Baymule's 2016 Garden

[baymule]

We moved February 2015 to 8 acres of sandy soil. Think ocean without the water. Sand. Pure sand. I tried to wrestle a garden from the briars, 6' tall weeds, brush and small trees last year and it was a dismal failure. But at least I got the area cleaned up. We fenced it last fall, 100'x70' and put 3 pigs in it. They went to slaughter a week ago and I ran the tractor around and around the garden to smooth out the craters the pigs dug. We had covered the garden with pine shavings from a horse event center nearby, about 8 inched deep. The pigs took care of that for me, it is all turned in the sand. They pooped all over the place and the garden is looking pretty good right now.

I have some plants started, but I am chomping at the bit to get out there and plant the garden! I have to wait a few more weeks to make sure I don't get a late frost-we had frost 4 days ago.

Yesterday we bought and planted fruit trees. We planted 2 peach, 1 pear, 2 plums, 1 apricot and 1 loquat. I want to get some more, I want apples but that's a risk because of cedar-apple rust. We have tons of cedar trees around here and some real big ones on our property. Oh well, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Also want to plant a fig tree, grapes, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, a cherry tree and a couple of pecan trees, and I'm sure I'll find more stuff to plant.

We sure have missed having a garden. We ate a lot of our food from the garden I used to have. The freezer is empty and the dehydrated food is gone. Got to get going again.

 

[baymule]

This is a shot of the garden last fall when we got the pigs.

This is what the garden looks like now. I need it to rain to settle the dirt so I can disc it up again.

 

[Denim Deb]

It looks good!

Not all apple trees are susceptible to cedar apple rust. Here's some info for you. http://www.centuryfarmorchards.com/library/car.html

 

[Mini Horses]

Yep -- saving my $$$. those darn tillers are $1500-2000 generally. Found one at Agri Supply $1100. But my disc does a great job, especially since the soil is pretty good already. This was a P-nut farm before I bought it. My pigs & ckns have been working this garden area. Plus I do have a lot of mulch, barn stall cleanings, etc. Not hard dirt at all and lots of amenities. If I need any "small till" area, I'll use my pull tiller or the walk behind....can we say "too many" tillers.

Also noticed that my little, rarely used disc costs $875+ now. So my $250 buy from a guy was a great deal! Been few years but, in great shape. Probably not more than 20-25 hrs on that rascal and in great soil. Discs will cut you if you aren't careful.

 

[sumi]

I hope it will go well now, @baymule! Goodness, you've got a lot done and planted over there.

 

[Mini Horses]

Stink bugs here......I can send you some

Hurray on the "marbles"

 

[baymule]

I use the wooden block method. It is deadly and it works! Place stink bug on wooden block and SMASH it with another wooden block!

 

[baymule]

I picked 4 yellow squash today! First pickin's outa the garden! It looks like we'll get slammed with yellow squash, that's ok. At least I'll get something from the garden!

 

[baymule]

I picked 3 more today and introduced our 16 month old grand daughter to fried squash. She almost ate a whole squash by herself. She went home with a couple of squash. I am so excited to be getting something from the garden!

 

[sumi]

I often wish we lived closer together and could meet up. I have a feeling we'd have a lot of fun together!